Sanofi-aventis invests in vaccine facility

Sanofi-aventis has signed an agreement to invest €100m in the construction of a manufacturing site in Mexico that will produce influenza vaccines

Sanofi-aventis has signed an agreement to invest €100m in the construction of a manufacturing site in Mexico that will produce seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines.

The company aims to produce up to 25 million annual doses of seasonal flu vaccines and will build the facility in such a way that production can be switched to pandemic flu vaccines if required.

Under the terms of the agreement, sanofi pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis, will be responsible for producing the antigens required to formulate the vaccine. Mexico-based Birmex will distribute the vaccine on the Mexican markets.

"Sanofi-aventis is proud to contribute to the strengthening of Mexico's health infrastructure and is eager to support Mexico's exemplary commitment to public health through influenza immunisation and pandemic readiness," said Chris Viehbacher, CEO of sanofi-aventis.

The company plans to begin construction in the next few weeks. The facility will be based in Ocoyoacac, where the company already has a manufacturing site.